As the world population ages, people from all walks of life desire to maintain a healthy lifestyle and appear younger[17]. Clinical signs of skin aging, which include intrinsic and photoaging, include wrinkles, pigmentary changes, skin thinning, and telangiectasias[18]. Age-related changes in the skin's structural stability and physiological function are caused by a combination of factors, including genetics, a drop in estrogen levels, exposure to UV radiation from the sun, and changes in estrogen levels[19]. The accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), a by-product of cellular metabolism, which causes damage to important cellular components like deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), enzymes, and membranes, causes intrinsic aging, which is also influenced by an individual's genetic makeup and occurs at varying rates in all organisms[18]. On the other hand, skin rejuvenation is a popular cosmetic procedure for removing age-related changes such as wrinkles and uneven pigmentation [1].
Many therapeutic strategies have been investigated to achieve an acceptable outcome with no or few side effects. Laser therapy is a popular option among several medical and surgical therapies. Although ablative laser resurfacing is the gold standard for skin rejuvenation, treatment is typically linked with a lengthy recovery period and negative side effects.[20]
Using a new laser treatment technique called fractional photothermolysis, several microscopic thermal injury zones are produced with precisely controlled breadth, depth, and density and are encircled by a reserve of epidermal and dermal tissue, enabling quick healing of the laser-induced thermal injury. Fractionated carbon dioxide (CO2) laser resurfacing, in particular, combines the concept of fractional photothermolysis with the thermal effects associated with the 10,600-nm wavelength.[21] Compared to standard CO2 laser resurfacing, this technique effectively treats rhytides, skin laxity, and photodamaged skin with a shorter recovery period and fewer side effects.[21],[20]
The search for substitute techniques and apparatus that might use processes other than laser technology has been prompted by the desire to get beyond the constraints and challenges given by lasers. According to Shakouri et al., utilizing a portable plasma device in conjunction with vitamin C ointment has a good impact on parameters that are useful for skin rejuvenation.[16] Ghasemi et colleagues discovered that a plasma spark therapy session increases skin elasticity greatly, and ultrasound results demonstrated a significantly enhanced skin thickness and density.[22]
SparkMed's medical device produces plasma energy by ionizing the air near the skin. The ensuing plasma spark sublimates the surface layers, quickly sends the stored heat energy to the skin surface, and uniformly heats it.[23][24] P-RF (Plasma radiofrequency) energy generates microplasma sparks in the air between the device's tip and the skin's surface, causing mild epidermal erosion and superficial perforation of the skin with a 1 mm diameter spot. Mild epidermal sublimation protects the epidermis and avoids harm to the skin's deeper layers. In addition to a mechanical effect that shapes the surface on which it impacts, the detached spots of the sublimation technique induce a thermal effect that promotes skin regeneration and extensive dermal fibroblast remodeling, including new collagen synthesis and deposition, while also stimulating rapid re-epithelialization[25]. Heat shocks can promote the expression of procollagen type I and procollagen type II [25]. As a result, they can trigger cells to make more collagen. However, studies show that NO significantly impacts the skin, specifically on the proliferation of keratinocytes and fibroblasts [16], [22], [26] Epidermis thickening brought on by cold plasma is most likely caused by the proliferation of keratinocytes [16], [22], [26]. However, CAP can initially weaken the skin barrier and dry up the top layer of the epidermis. The human stratum corneum experienced a temporary in vivo water loss after plasma exposure [14], [22]. The non-dried epidermis shields thermally injured layers during recovery, a promising result of plasma skin resurfacing [22], [27]. Because CAPs can deposit charges on the treated surface, plasma treatment may cause the skin to absorb more water molecules[28]. As a result, various cold plasma-related physical elements can influence cellular activity and the skin's microenvironment, individually or in combination[17]. All of this highlights the beneficial role of CAP in skin biology and provides compelling arguments in favor of employing cold plasma to repair the skin's functional barrier and improve its health. Furthermore, the plasma does not need to interact with the chromophore[29][16]. Consequently, it generates more reliable outcomes than ablative lasers [16], [22], [27].
According to the findings of this study and in accordance with earlier studies[16], [22], one benefit of this method is the quick healing of the wound surface, the quick formation of the protective layer after treatment, the quick return to normal activity, and the best results in increasing skin elasticity.